Ukulele Underground Podcast Ukulele Underground

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/05/name-the-quote-tuup118/

Content Warning: If you’re Sensitive to Mouth Sounds or Eating, you may want to stop listening after 36:15

With Kyle back on the podcast, the guys are trying a new Ukulele Challenge, Name that Quote: Jake or Jac-Ob. Kahai is challenging Aldrine and Kyle to guess whether Jake Shimabukuro or Jacob Collier is the source for different Quotes. This leads the guys into discussing what Music Quotes have stuck with them through the years, and what Lyrics just won’t leave their heads. A viewer asks where they can start learning Ukulele, so the team gives their suggestions for beginner songs. A UU+ Member asks about how they can move forward in their music journey? The latter half of the podcast, the guys are doing a Hot Sauce Taste Test. Aldrine gives advice on how to transition from chords to fingerstyle, and Kyle gives his best advice for anybody looking to improve.

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/05/chord-substitutions-tuup117/

If you find a song “Boring”, use Chord Substitutions to spice them up. Kahai Challenges Aldrine to demonstrate a couple of ways you can change a song by “Replacing” one or two chords. Aldrine starts by adding notes to the base chord to make new Substitutions. On the next Level, Aldrine shows how you can use Relative Chords as Substitutions, and how you can combine both techniques to make a song your own. The guys also discuss how knowing some Music Theory is a good shortcut to find new Substitutions, but if you want to jump in, it can be as easy as Adding or Subtracting fingers from a Chord. The team shares some of their favorite examples of Musicians who didn’t know Music Theory, but still made great Music. Viewers ask about Baritones as Starter Ukes, and what Amp Settings should be used for Ukuleles before the guys open a gift box from UU Member, Rux.

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/05/gigging-dos-donts-tuup116/


This week, we’re hanging out with friend of the show, Kyle Furusho, and finding out the biggest Do’s and DON’TS for Gigging Musicians and Audience Members. The Podcast starts off with a question from Kyle’s biggest Fan, Mickey Aüto. Then we ask Kyle how he makes a Setlist, and how he handles unknown Song Requests. Aldrine ask Kyle how to deal with someone picking up your tip jar, and explains why audience members should never do it. A viewer asks how they can break into Gigging, and if it’s ok to write a “Song Menu” instead of taking request. The guys explain why they don’t want to play certain songs, and how song request can break the flow of a show. The podcast is topped off with some stories of unwanted additional performers.

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/improvising-memes-tuup115/


How do you use “Memes” to Jump in on Songs and Improvise? Aldrine shares his secret tips to playing along to other people even when you’re unsure of the songs, keys, or chord switches. This leads into a discussion on improvising, and how you can use simple songs to “Meme” to your audience. Two viewers ask questions on plucking with your Fretting Hand, and improving your Strumming Speed. The guys respond to a viewers comment on being intimidated by the Improv Masters, Kalei and Corey, and show how even the pros use simple tricks to make effective solos. Aldrine gives his own examples of how he is trying to improve on his ukulele journey, and how he is still a student too. At the end of the day, everything comes down to having Fun!

Video Podcast & Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/fusing-ukulele-jazz-big-bands-tuup114/

What happens when you rearrange a Western Ukulele Instrumental Concept Album for Jazz Big Band? This Week Aldrine and Mike are sharing their experience playing and planning for the KCC Jazz Festival. We start off with a relatively quick conversation about Double Flats/Sharps, Reading the Youtube Comments, and Aldrine’s T-Shirt, then we dive into Aldrine and Mike recounting the Jazz Festival. Aldrine explains what it was like collaborating with KCC Music Director, Sarah Tochiki to rearrange songs from his Album Bandito Tyler. Aldrine also shares his fears of playing at the Jazz Festival, and criticizing his own performance. We get some last minute questions about Beginner Ukulele Book Recommendations, and Chord Shape Viability before showing off gifts from UU Member, Yoda.

Video Podcast and Timestamps: https://ukuleleunderground.com/2024/04/essential-festival-items-tuup113/


What are Essential Items you bring to a Festival? Do you even need to bring an Ukulele to a Festival, and should you bring your most “Expensive Ukulele” or should you bring a “Beater”? The team tries to help a viewer define a group of notes, and explain why they aren’t pentatonic, and why you don’t necessarily need to name them. Aldrine explains the advantages and disadvantages of different Ukulele Bridge Types. The podcast is topped of with recounting the Kauai Ukulele Festival and giving a preview of Aldrine’s workshop for the Monopolele Festival.